Many girls have often dreamed of being a princess. The riches, lifestyle, and finery the title inspires have fascinated us for generations. Princesses add critical pieces to many of our favorite books and games. Imaginary and fictional princesses are a great deal of fun, but actual princesses can be fascinating. While there are many princesses all over the world, there are some that have captured our hearts and imaginations throughout history.

Princess Anastasia

One of the most famous young princesses is Anastasia of the Romanovs in Russia. Her father, Nicholas II, was Czar (or king) of Russia until 1918. During his reign, Russia became involved in World War II and suffered heavy losses.The Communists in the country were very displeased with his leadership, even after he stepped down to let a democratic government step in, and began a revolution to overthrow the current system.

The Communists, or Red Party, captured the entire Romanov family, including Anastasia, her three sisters, her parents, and her little brother Alexei. The entire family was thrown into prison for two months, along with Anastasia's little dog, Jemmy. Their doctor and three servants were also included with the family.

Although the Communists had planned to simply use the royal family as bargaining chips, they began to get nervous. One night they forced all eleven of their prisons into a small room in the prison's basement and opened fire. It is believed all eleven were killed, including Anastasia and Alexei. However, when the bones of the royal family were found many years later, there was no sign of either Anastasia's or her little brother's remains.

Many have come forward claiming to be the missing children, but all have been proven false. To date nobody knows what really happened to the two children. This mystery has baffled experts for generations, and still has no resolution. It has inspired countless books, and even a few movies.

Grace, Princess of Monaco

Grace Kelly was born in the United States and became a famous movie star. She won an Academy Award in 1955 and began dating royalty soon after. While she is well-known for her beauty and grace on the big screen, she is even more well-known for her marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. Rainier expected Grace to give up her acting career after marriage, which she did.

Princess Grace moved to Monaco, a small country near France, and became immensely popular. Prince Rainier ruled with Grace by his side. Together they had three children, Albert II, who is now Prince of Monaco, Caroline, and Stephanie. People all over the world, especially Americans, were fascinated by this movie star turned princess. Grace also remained a United States citizen throughout her life, even as the Princess of Monaco.

Tragically, Grace suffered a stroke while driving with her daughter, Stephanie. This resulted in a terrible car accident, and Grace never regained consciousness. She died at only fifty-two. Her death was mourned throughout the world, and her life still offers wonderment and hope to young princess hopefuls the world over.

Diana, Princess of Wales

Perhaps the most beloved princess of all is Princess Diana, or Princess Di. Lady Diana Spencer was a kindergarten teacher when she and Prince Charles, the next in line for the British Throne, announced their relationship and engagement. She was the first Englishwoman to marry a future king in over three hundred years.

Princess Diana married Prince Charles in a televised wedding watched by 750 million people in 1981. Diana was immediately loved by people all over the world for her fierce protectiveness of her two sons, William and Harry, as well as her mission to use her position to help others.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles parted ways after many (allegedly rocky) years of marriage and finally divorced formally in 1996. Princess Di continued to work at her various missions and projects until her untimely death in 1997. After being pursued by the paparazzi in a French tunnel, she and her romantic interest were both killed in a tragic car accident. There have been countless rumors surrounding her death, and in 2004, a formal inquiry was opened to fully investigate her death. The investigation continues today.

Whether you dream of becoming a princess much like Princess Grace, or simply admire the fashion and goodwill of princesses who use their power well, the love of royalty is well established. Princesses of both old and new are beautiful to look at and design. Find princess dolls here at The Doll Palace to use in your next story or show everyone the true royalty that lives within you.

Posted On: April 7, 2008 i thought your sotory was good but you forgot two vary inportent princesses Cloeopatra and cathrine the great cleopratra life has been romanticed and aboused over time. but she lived at one of the most exciting times in history and was the last queen of egypt she was the only one in her family who botherd to learn egyptin and even adopted the local religon also not to metion she was able to win the soppert and love of two of the most powerful men of her time evnen through the today most poeple countine to belive the soryies writien by her enimies we are finding a clerer and more edcudited picture of this amsaing women.

cathrine the great was married to the gradson of peter the great and he was not the best husbend he even brought his toy soldiers to bed with him she was abused by himmuntill she took over the trone and he died soon afet then she stared the frist scool for both boys and girls in russia and wroste some of the frist sories for kids in russia.

Posted On: June 20, 2007if ur bein called a princess by ur daddy all the time then that means ur a no good spoiled little brat who always wants to have ur way. i h8 ppl like that. if u got sumthin to say about that then say it cuz i'll say sumthin rite bac.